A committee through the MSU Human Resources' benefits office is evaluating The Chickering Group - which insures MSU students - as the contract is up for renewal.

The committee includes members of the Student Insurance Advisory Group and will determine if Chickering still offers the best possible program, said Pam Beemer, the assistant vice president for human resources.

"The last time we did an evaluation was in 2000," Beemer said. "It is time again to see if Chickering is still the company to provide this level of benefits at the best price."

An outline of the current health benefits and cost is made available for public bidding, Beemer said. Five companies responded to the proposal.

"Two of the five companies met all the criteria," Beemer said. "We have two strong candidates for insurance. We try to keep the process very objective. We require formal bidding and a presentation by each candidate."

The company competing against Chickering has not been publicly announced because the candidates do not know their opposition.

The committee looks for different factors when weighing insurance companies, said Peter Briggs, director of the Office of International Students and Scholars.

"I certainly look for customer service," he said. "I try to look from the point of view of international students, who are one of the only members of the audience who must have insurance. Insurance is hard to understand, especially cross-culturally."

Hilda Mejia Abreu, a former adviser to the Student Insurance Advisory Group and director of admissions for the College of Veterinary Medicine, said mental health care is something the committee should consider when evaluating companies.

"One of the things we advocate for is counseling services and pyschotrophic medication, because those are very expensive," Abreu said. "I want prescription coverage evaluated because I do not think they really cover our students who might be hospitalized for mental illness."

Chickering charges domestic students a premium rate of $1,119 per year. Veterinary student Hilary Greve said with Chickering, you get what you pay for.

"It's not good health insurance, but it's very cheap," Greve said. "It's not very good coverage, but it is better than nothing."

The evaluation process is expected to end in November.

MSU has used Chickering for at least nine years, Beemer said.